256 People Linked To Cape Cod Coronavirus Cluster

PROVINCETOWN, MA — A coronavirus cluster, which forced Provincetown to reimplement a mask advisory, grew with another 124 cases reported Thursday.

As of Tuesday, Provincetown town officials has reported 256 new confirmed COVID-19 cases to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Barnstable County health officials said 190 of the cases are Massachusetts residents, and 109 of them are Barnstable County residents. The remaining 66 cases came from out-of-state tourists.

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, town officials during an emergency meeting Monday voted to advise people to wear masks indoors, regardless of their vaccination status. Town officials also voted to advise clubs and music venues where social distancing isn't achievable to enforce vaccine verification prior to admittance.

All unvaccinated people, including children under 12, are also required to wear masks both indoors and outdoors when 6 feet of social distancing cannot be achieved.

Also read: Vaccinated Cape Tourist Felt 'Invincible' Before Getting COVID-19

County health officials reminded the public that testing and vaccines are essential tools to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Since July 1, health officials have adminstered more than 3,000 COVID-19 tests in Provincetown.

"Anyone experiencing even mild symptoms should get tested, as well as anyone who has had a close contact with an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19," a Barnstable County spokesperson said in a statement. "Testing is encouraged regardless of vaccination status."

Health officials said they're conducting free testing at the Veterans Memorial Community Center parking lot at 2 Mayflower St. Testing is available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., everyday through July 30. The site offers the two-shot Pfizer vaccine and the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. No appointments are necessary.

Free testing and vaccinations are also available through Outer Cape Health Services in Provincetown. Individuals seeking testing and/or a vaccination can either call the OCHS Patient Access Center at 508- 905-2888 to schedule a test, or they can arrive at the Provincetown health center at 49 Harry Kemp Way and call 508-487-9395, ext. 1., from outside.

So far in July, 90 people have been vaccinated in Provincetown at either the Veterans Memorial site or Outer Cape Health Services' health center in Provincetown.

Health officials also encouraged residents to enable the Massachusetts exposure notification technology, MassNotify, on their phones. Users can anonymously notify others that they have tested positive for COVID-19 and receive alerts about possible exposure to the virus. For instructions on enabling MassNotify on your smartphone, the state website.